Adventure Therapy Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers

Individuals who do not like the idea of attending a traditional rehab or have already tried an inpatient treatment facility and were unsuccessful may prefer an alternative type of treatment. Adventure therapy takes an active approach to addiction and creates an environment where individuals work together to complete activities. This type of treatment is highly rewarding and beneficial to those looking to overcome addiction.

What To Expect In Adventure Therapy

There are five different facets of adventure therapy including games, initiatives, trust activities, ropes courses, and wilderness activities. In all of these activities, there is an element of risk, whether that be perceived risk (physical or psychological) or real risk. Adventure therapy is an active approach to therapy where participants will engage in various activities and build trust in team members. Here are the five types of adventure therapy in more detail:

Games:

This category of activity focuses on games that are fun and most are non-competitive (such as word games or cooperation games). For those struggling with addiction, games can help in many ways. First, games place each patient in a new or uncomfortable situation. Games also teach patients that fun is spontaneous and defeats the preconceived notions that remaining in control means not having fun. Games also promote a connection and camaraderie amongst the patients and can lead to bonding.

Initiatives:

Initiative tasks are where patients form a group to solve a common goal. These types of activities are called initiatives because it relies on the initiative of the group to solve the problem they are presented. Types of initiative adventure therapies might include: crossing a river with very few supplies, navigating around an obstacle, or even obtaining an obstacle with limited supplies. Whatever the task may be, participants learn that by working together they can accomplish many things. Accomplishment and teamwork can help improve patients’ feelings of self-worth and self-esteem because they all achieved a challenging task.

Trust Activities:

Trust activities are where patients need to trust that other patients will help them in a difficult situation. This is also a type of teamwork exercise that may include trusting someone to lead you around blindfolded or even falling backwards and being caught by your peers. These types of activities also influence a person’s spirituality as it is causing patients to develop a trusting relationship in their peers and to believe in others. Patients are also taught the importance of letting go and can witness firsthand how to do so.

Ropes Course Activities:

These types of activities are where individuals are presented with challenges but are also once again taught to seek the support of others. You may be required to walk across a log 40 feet off the ground. Or you may even be required to walk on a wire (using a rope to assist yourself). Patients can learn to overcome fears and powerful emotions and turn them into positive and productive ones.

Wilderness Activities:

Wilderness rehab or therapies may also be an option. Be sure to note that some wilderness rehabs are separate programs and not all adventure therapies include activities such as hiking, backpacking, or white water rafting. However, just like the name states, wilderness activities take place outside in nature and can sometimes be challenging activities. Wilderness therapy can also have more focus on the natural world. Some places offer fishing or even horseback riding in their wilderness programs. Wilderness therapy offers patients the opportunity to gain joy and pleasure through outdoor activities that may include teamwork and challenging tasks.

Hard Work vs. Play

Some people may be skeptical about adventure therapies or even wilderness rehabs. Is it all play and no work? To be clear, adventure therapy is still therapy, but it’s just a different approach to rehabilitation than the traditional forms we’re all accustomed to hearing about.

Make sure you attend a program that has accredited staff and is a reputable program. For example, you can’t just go to your local gym and climb the rock wall a few days a week and call that your therapy program. Attending an accredited and structured adventure rehab facility and being counseled by accredited therapists is what you need to look for. If you have any questions on whether a facility is accredited or not, ask us today.

Adventure therapy can engage individuals in fun and challenging activities. However, it is not all play and no work. By engaging in various and sometimes strenuous activities, patients are taught many lessons and coping mechanisms they can apply towards their recovery. Patients can learn about their own determination to succeed, how to connect with others, and also how to build up their self-esteem. Therapists will help those in recovery by presenting challenging tasks each patient must overcome. Patients can then apply that to overcoming their addiction both in and outside of the program.

Start Your Recovery Adventure Today

Adventure therapy can range from horseback riding, ropes courses, white water rafting, backpacking, and more. If you are struggling from an alcohol or drug problem, let us help you find an adventure therapy program that is right for you. If you have questions or need more information on this topic or others you can call us or fill out the form. Your adventure and healing from addiction is just a call or click away. End your addiction today and start a new life.

RehabCenter.net is intended for educational purposes only and is not designed to provide medical advice of any kind. Any information found on RehabCenter.net should never be used to diagnose a disease or health problem, and in no way replaces or substitutes professional care. In the case of a suspected health problem, please contact your healthcare provider. The producers, contributors, sponsors, editors, and authors of RehabCenter.net have no responsibility or obligation to anyone (person or entity) for any harmful consequences that may happen, directly or indirectly, as a result of the content or information provided on RehabCenter.net. In the case of a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1 immediately.